Balance the following equations: (d) Na2CO31aq2 + HCl1aq2¡NaCl1aq2 + H2O1l2 + CO2(g)

Key Concepts

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations involves ensuring that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation. This is based on the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. To balance an equation, coefficients are adjusted in front of the chemical formulas to achieve equal atom counts.

Types of Chemical Reactions

Understanding the types of chemical reactions, such as acid-base reactions, is crucial for balancing equations. In the given equation, sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to produce sodium chloride (NaCl), water (H2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2). Recognizing the reactants and products helps in determining how to balance the equation effectively.

State Symbols in Chemical Equations

State symbols indicate the physical state of the reactants and products in a chemical equation: (s) for solid, (l) for liquid, (g) for gas, and (aq) for aqueous solutions. In the provided equation, recognizing that Na2CO3 and HCl are in aqueous solution while CO2 is a gas is important for understanding the reaction conditions and the nature of the products formed.